Awning construction



c. M PREAUS AWNING CONSTRUCTION July 21, 1959 Filed April 24, 1958 4 Sheets Sheet 2 INVENTOR '40Ch ar/es M. Prdus ATTORNEY c; M. PREAUS.

AWNING cousrauc'rxou July 21 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 24, 1958 Fig. /4

/ INVENTOR- Char/es M. Pfeaus ATTORNEYJ July 21, 1959 Y c. M. PREAUS 2,895,185 1 V AWNING CONSTRUCTION Filed April 24, 1958 4 s eets-sheet 4 I F ig, I5 Fr 42 25 D 7 '08 wmm m we no. Fig. /6 f INVENTOR Charles M. Pre au s ATTORNEY;

United States Patent Q AWNING CONSTRUCTION Charles M. Preaus, Tulsa, Okla., assiguor to Life-Long Aluminum Awning Company, Inc., Tulsa, Okla., a corporation of Oklahoma Application April 24, 1958, Serial No. 730,725

3 Claims. (Cl. 20-575) This invention relates to improvements in awning construction, and more particularly to improvements in the construction and assemblage of metal awnings.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an awning construction wherein the awning is constructed of a plurality of panels that may be stocked in quantity and from which appropriate lengths may be cut preparatory to making an awning of the desired size, thus avoiding the stocking of various sizes of roof and side panel parts to suit a variety of specifications for various window sizes.

A further object is the provision of new and novel means for connecting these panels in a sturdy, waterproof manner.

A further object is the provision of an awning construction wherein the top panel members are devoid of any protrusions above the uppermost surface thereof, except wherein they are joined to the cross bar and the spar.

A further object is the provision of a metal awning that can be constructed out of thinner and lighter weight aluminum than has heretofore been practical, resulting in a lower cost of manufacture and a resultant lower price at which these awnings may be offered to the general public.

A further object is the provision of an awning construction wherein the channel members are provided with exceptional strength due to their box-like configuration.

A further object is the provision of an awning construction having a shadow-line effect that is pleasing to the eye and therefore more readily acceptable in residential areas.

'A further object is the provision of an awning construction wherein the top panel members are provided with downturned lowermost ends, thus providing an awning construction wherein the top panels and the valance are formed as an integral unit.

A further object is the provision of a decorative trim or skirt that may be easily attached to the side panel members, spar, or a drip strip provided on the spar.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this disclosure, and in which drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one type of awning structure.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the awning of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the awning of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 2, parts thereof being broken away to show the preferred construction.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of another form of awning construction, parts thereof being broken away to show the preferred construction.'

2,895,185 Patented July 21, 1959 Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view of the awning of Fig. 11,

parts thereof being broken away to show the preferred construction. I

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 13--13 of Fig. 11, parts thereof being broken away to show the preferred construction.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 14--14 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of still a further type of awning construction.

Fig. 16 is a bottom plan view of the awning of Fig. 15. I

Fig. 17 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 1717 of Fig. 15, parts thereof being broken away to show the preferred construction.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the decorative trim secured to the awning of Fig. 15. i

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustra tion are shown preferred embodiments of'the invention and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the awning construction as illustrated in Figs. 1-5 may be designated by the letter A, the awning construction as illustrated in Figs. 6-10 as B, the awning construction as illustrated in Figs. 11-14 as C, and the awning construction as illustrated in Figs. 15-18 as D.

Referring first to the awning construction A, the same preferably includes a roof or top panel section 20, side panels 21, sealing sleeves or retainer strips 23, interlocking means 24, a cross bar member or pull plate 25, and an internal frame 26.

The top panel section 20 preferably comprises a plurality of downwardly'angled longitudinal channel members 28, each of said channel members having a flattened uppermost portion 29, legs 30 depending from either side of the uppermost portion 29, preferably at a degree angle thereto, and inwardly extending flange portions 34 an open ended box-like construction that is extremelyrigid.

In securing the channel members 28 to each other to form the top panel section the legs 30 of adjacent channel members are placed in an abutting position, as shown in Fig. 5, with the adjacent flange portions 34 of the adjoining channel members 28 in diverging relationship, in the same plane, and the retainer strip 23 is applied.

The retainer strip or sleeve 23 comprises a somewhat C-shaped member having a substantially flattened portion 35 and inwardly and upwardly folded side edges 36, the flattened portion 35 being adapted to abut the lowermost surface of the flange portions 34 of adjoining channel members and the upwardly and inwardly folded side edges 36 being adapted to overlie the adjacent flange portions 34 of adjoining channel members when the retainer strip 23 is applied to the channel members.

In applying the retainer strip 23 to the channel members 28 the same is slid over the adjacent flange portions 34 of adjoining channel members 28, .the channel members 28 being positioned in abutting position as hereinmembers together. The channel members 28 and retainer strips 23 are then interlocked as by interlocking means 24. In forming interlocking means 24 a sealing tool, such as that shown in the patents to W. C. Childress, Nos. 2,315,596 and 2,680,979, may be applied at spaced intervals to the retainer strip 23 after it is in position upon the flanges 34, such tool acting to form a crimp 37 in the retainer strip 23 and the adjacent flange portions 34, the crimp 37 deforming the upwardly and inwardly folded side edges 36 of the retainer strip 23 into a position flush with the uppermost surface of the adjacent flange portions 34 of adjoining channel members 28 and mutilating and deforming the retainer strip 23 and adjacent flanges 34 by cutting and notching a small segment thereof and bending this segment out of the plane of the remainder of the retainer strip and adjacent flange portions.

In form A of my invention I have shown the channel members 28 as bent downwardly and interlocked tog'ether, forming a valance 40. The retainer strip 23 is utilized to lock the downwardly bent portions of the channel members 28 together and may be continuous throughout the length of the't'op' portion and valance portion of the channel members, however, I preferably apply a separate retainer strip 23 to the, valance portion of the channel members. channel members 28 are cut-as at 41 so that one can be folded over the other when the valance is formed.

The cross bar or pull plate may be connected to the uppermost end of the channel members 28, bymeans of rivets 42, as a means for securing the awning to a building.

'The side panels 21 comprise a plurality of channel members 44 of identical construction to the top channel members 28, each having downturned legs and inwardly folded flange portions 34, forming an open ended box-like construction. These side channel members 44 are secured together by a retainer strip 23 in a manner identical to the channel members 28. If it is desired crimps 37 may also be applied to interlock the side channel members, however,'I havefound that it is not absolutely necessary to do so, although I have found that it is desirable to fold the side edges 36 of the retainer strips flush with the uppermost portion of the flanges 34 at the lower edges thereof to facilitate the placing of rivets therethrough connecting the side channels 44 to the-frame26, as will be subsequently described.

The side channel members 44 are secured to the outer legs 30 of the outermost top channel members 28, the inturned flangeportions 34 having been cut from the lowermost portion of that leg. Rivets 46 maybe utilized to firmly secure the side channel members 44 to the top channel members 28.

The internal frame 26 comprises a pair of L-shaped side bars 50 and a longitudinally extending L-shaped front bar 51, each of the bars secured to the lowermost portion of the side panels 21 and valance 40, respectively, by means of rivets 53, eachof which pass through a retainer strip 23, through a flange 34 and through one leg of the bar. The abutting portions of the side bars 50 and front bar 51 may be secured together by means of rivets 55.

Referring now to the awning construction B, shown in Figs. 6-10, the same is constructed substantially the same as the awning construction A, and identical reference characters have been applied thereto wherever practical. The same preferably includes a roof or top panel section 20, side panels 21, sealing sleeves or retainer strips 23, interlocking means 24, a cross bar member or pullplate 25, and an internal frame 26.

The top panel section 20 of this form preferably comprises a plurality of downwardly angled longitudinal channel members 58 and 59, arranged in alternating positions, the channel members 58 being situated at either end; The panel members 58 are provided with a flattened uppermost portion 60, legs 62' depending from.

The legs 30-of the outermost- .4 either side of the uppermost portion 60, preferably at a 90 degree angle thereto, and inwardly extending flange portions 64 provided at the lowermost portion of the legs 62; the uppermost portion 60, legs 62 and flanges 64 forming an open ended box-like construction that is identical to that formed by the channel members 28 of form A. The channel members 59 are substantially identical to the channel members 60, having a flattened uppermost portion 65, legs 66 depending from either side of the uppermost portion 65, preferably at a 90 degree angle thereto, and inwardly extending flange portions 67 provided at the lowermost portion of the legs 66; the uppermost portion 65, legs 66 and flanges 67 forming an open ended box-like construction that is similar to the construction of the channel members 58. Whereas in the form A of this invention the legs 30 of the channel members 28 were of the same length, in the form B I have made the legs 66 of the channel members 59 substantially shorter than the'legs 62 of the channel members 58, so that when the channel members '58 and 59 are secured to each other by means of a retainer strip or sleeve 23, identical to that utilized in the'form A, the uppermost surface of the channel members 59 is beneath the uppermost surface 60 of the channel members 58, so that as the light reflects upon the channel members 58 and 59 the channel members 58 will cast ashadow upon the channel members 59,- thus forming a shadow-line effect that is unique and pleasing to the eye. One of the main objections to the use of metal awnings in residential areas has been the unbroken contour of the awnings and I have discovered that .by providing the shadow-line elfect in the awnings that'they are more readily accepted in residential areas.

The retainer strip or sleeve 23 is folmedidentical to that as utilized in the form of invention A, as is the interlocking means 24 that is utilized to secure the retainer strips 23 to the flanges 64 and 67, the flanges 64 and 67 being identical to the flanges 34 of the form of invention A.

In this form of invention I have likewise shown the channel members 58 and 59 as bent downwardly and interlocked together, forming a valance 40. The lowermost edges 70 of the valance 40 have been scalloped to break up the monotony of a straight edge and to give the awning a more pleasing appearance. The valance portions of the channel members 58and' 59 are secured together in a manner identical to that shown for the form A.

The cross bar or pull plate 25 may be connected to the uppermost end of the channel members 58, by means of rivets 42, as a meansfor securing the awning to a building. It will be noted that the channel members 59 are not connected directly to the pull plate 25 and will provide openings 71 between the building and the upper- .tost end of the channels 59, perr'n'itting greater circulation of air beneath the awning and resultant increased ventilation thereunder.

The side panels 21 comprise a plurality of channel members 74 and 75 that are identical to the channel members 58 and 59, respectively, the channel members 74 each having downturned legs 62 and inwardly folded flange portions 67, forming an open ended box-like construction, and the channel members 75 each having downturned legs 66 and inwardly folded flange portions 64, also forming an open ended box-like construction. These side channel members 74 and 75 are secured together by retainer strips 23 in a manner identical to the channel members 58 and 59. If it is desired crimps 37 may also be applied to interlock the side channel members, however, I have found that it is not absolutely necessary to do so.

The side channel members 74' are secured to the outer legs 62 of the outermost top channel members 58, the inturned flange portions 64 having been cut from the lowermost portion of that leg. Rivets 46 'may be utilized tofirmly secure the side channel members 74 to the top channel members 58. i I

The lowermost edges 77 of the channel members 74 and 75 may be scalloped in a manner similar to the lowermost edges 70 of the valance 40, in order to enhance the visual appearance of the awning.

The internal frame 26 of form B is identical to that of form A, comprising a pair of L-shaped side bars 50 and a longitudinally extending L-shaped front bar 51, each of the bars being secured to the lower portion of the side panels 21 and valance 40, by means of rivets 53 which pass through a retainer strip 23, through either a flange 64 or 67, and through one leg of the bar. The abutting portions of the side bars 50 and front bar 51 may be secured together by means of rivets 56.

Referringnow to the awning construction C, shown in Figs. 11-14, the same is substantially identical to the construction of the awning shown in form A, and identical reference characters have been applied thereto wherever practical.

The awning construction C preferably includes a roof or top panel section 20, side panels 21, sealing sleeves or retainer strips 23, interlocking means 24, a cross bar memberor pull plate 25, a valance or spar member 78, and an internal frame 26.

The top panel section 20 preferably comprises a plu- .rality of downwardly angled longitudinal channel members 80 that are of identical construction to the channel members 28, each having a flattened uppermost portion 29, legs. 30 depending from either side of the uppermost portion 29, preferably at a 90 degree angle thereto, and inwardly extending flange portions 34 provided at the lowermost portion of the legs 30; the uppermost portion 29, legs 30 and flanges 24 forming an open ended boxlike construction that is extremely rigid.

The channel members 80 are secured to each other, to form a panel section 20, in identically the same manner as arethe channel members 28, by the application of the retainer strips or sleeves 23 thereto, and the channel members 80 and the retainer strips 23 are then interlocked together, as by interlocking means 24, in a manner identical to that shown and described in form A.

The side panels 21 comprise a plurality of channel members 82 that are of identically the same construction as are the channel members 44 of form A, each having downturned legs 30 and inwardly folded flange portions 34, forming an open ended box-like construction. These side channel members 82 are secured together by a retainer strip 23 in a manner identical to that shown in the form A. If it is desired crimps 37 may'also be applied to interlock the side channel members, however, I have found that it is not absolutely necessary to do so. i have discovered that it is desirable in this form to fold the uppermost portion of the retainer strips over the flanges 34 of the side channel members 82, as at 83, in Fig. 14 in order to more securely hold the panels in place. This feature may also be embodied in the forms A and B previously described.

The side channel members 82 are secured to the outer legs 30 of the outermost top channel members 80, the inturned flange portions 34 having been cut from the lowermost portion of that leg. Rivets 46 may be utilized to firmly secure the side channel members 82 to the top channel members 80.

The cross bar or pull plate 25 may be connected to the uppermost end of the channel members 80 by means of rivets 42, as a means for securing the awning to a buildmg.

The valance or spar 78 preferably comprises a front plate 84 having an angled uppermost flange 85 and a lower flange 87 normal to the front plate 84, the lower flange 87 terminating in an upturned lip 88. The upper angle flange 85 may be secured to the uppermost surface 29 of the channel members 80 by rivets 89 and the sides of. the plate 84 secured to the legs 30 of the endmost side The internal frame 26 preferably comprises a pair of L-shaped side bars 50 and a longitudinally extending L shaped front bar 51, the side bars 50 being secured to the lowermost portion of the side panels 21 and the front bar 51 being secured to the lowermost portion of the valance 78, by means of rivets 56.

Referring now to the awning construction D, shown. in Figs. 15-18, the main body of the awning is of identical construction to that shown in the awning construction C, except that the downwardly angled longitudinal channel members 92 are slightly wider than the downwardly angled longitudinal channel members of the awning construction C, and the side channel members 93 are likewise slightly wider than the side channel members 82 of the awning construction C. The main distinction between this awning construction and that of the awning construction C is that I have herein provided a decorative trim member or skirt 95 to the bottom of the side panels 21 and have applied a decorative trim member or skirt 96 beneath the drip strip 90.

The decorative trim member or skirt 95 is best illustrated in Fig. 18 and generally comprises a front plate 97' having a decorative configuration of a plurality of scallops 98 along the lowermost edge thereof. The front plate 97 is provided with upstanding ears 100, in the same plane as the front plate, having perforations 101 therethrough for receiving the rivets 103 which securev the skirt 95 to the side panels 21. The portions of the front plate intermediate these ears are bent rearwardly forming a rearwardly extending flange portion 104. The front plate 97 is provided with a rearwardly extending end flange portion 106, having perforations 107 therethrough which receive the rivets 108 securing the sides of the front skirt 96 to the side skirt 95.

The front skirt 96 comprises a front plate 110 having a decorative configuration of a plurality of sealloped portions 111 along the lowermost edge thereof, the uppermost edge of the front plate 110 being pro-. vided with a forwardly extending flange portion 114 that. is secured to the lowermost surface of the flange 87 of the drip strip by means of rivets 116.

By securing the side skirt to the side panels 21 by means of the ears aflixed interiorly of the side panels 21, and the front skirt 96 beneath the drip strip 90, I have provided an attractive awning construction having a decorative skirt running entirely about the lowermost portion thereof, such skirts being affixed to the awnin proper in an unobtrusive manner.

The various channel members, spars, skirts, etc., utilized in the various forms of awning construction may be carried in stock, of any lengths that may be conveniently manufactured, and it is obvious that awnings may be constructed therefrom according to any given specifications, providing an awning structure that is easily "as sembled and custom made at a reasonable cost.

While various parts of the awning structure have been described as secured together by means of rivets, it is obvious that these connections may be made according to any standard sheet metal construction, such as spot welding, nuts and bolts and the like.

Various changes may be made to the form of the invention herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim: I

1. In an awning construction the combination of a top panel section comprising a plurality of downwardly angled longitudinal channel members, each of said channel members having a flattened uppermost portion, a pair of legs depending downwardly from said uppermost portion at substantially a 90 degree angle therefrom, and a pair of flange portions extending inwardly toward each other from said legs and disposed at substantially a 90 degree angle with respect to said legs, said chart nel members being positioned with the uppermost portions thereof forming a continuous roof portion, *With the legs ofadjoining channel members in abutment and the flange portions of adjoining channel members disposed in the same plane; a plurality of retainer strips adapted to secure said channel members together, each of said retainer strips having a flattened lowermost portion adapted to abut the lowermost surface of the flange portions of adjoining channel members, and upwardly and inwardly folded side edges adapted to overlie the adja cent flange portions of adjoining channel members; interlocking means securing said retainer strips to said adjacent flange portions uniting said channel members as a rigid unit, said interlocking means comprising a plurality of crimps disposed along the lengths of said retainer strips, each of said crimps deforming and mutilating each adjacent flange portion and their overlying re tainer strip in an interlocking relationship, deforming the upwardly and inwardly folded side edges of said retainer strip into a position flush with the uppermost surface of said adjacent flange portions and mutilating the outermost portion of said adjacent flange portions and the outermost side of said retainer strip by inwardly cutting and notching-a small segment of said adjacent flange portions and said retainer strip and bending said inwardly cut small segment of said adjacent flange portions and said retainer strip out of the plane of the remainder of said adjacent flange portions and said retainer strip; and a spar mounted upon the front edge of said top panel section, said spar comprising a front plate having an upper angled flange portion, a lower angled flange portion disposed at substantially 90 degrees to said front plate, the outennostedge of said lower angled flange :portion being provided with an upturned lip disposed substantially parallel to said front plate, said upper angled flange portion being secured adjacent the uppermost surface of said top panel section and said lower angled flange portion depending therebelow forming a drip strip for'said awning construction.

2. In an awning construction the combination of a top panel section, side panel sections, and a spar, said top panel section comprising a plurality of downwardly angled longitudinal channelmembers, each of said channel members having a flattened uppermost portion, a pair of legs depending downwardly from said uppermost portion at substatnially a 90 degree angle therefrom, and a pair of flange portions extending inwardly toward each other from said legs and disposed at substantially a 90 degree angle with respect to said legs, said channel members being positioned with the uppermost portions thereof in the same plane forming a continuous roof portionandiwith the legs of adjoining channel members in abutment and the :flange portions of adjoining channelmembers disposed in the same plane; a plurality of retainer strips adapted to secure said channel members together, each of said retainer strips having a flattened lowermost portion adapted to abut the lowermost surface of the flange portions of adjoining channel members, and upwardly and inwardly folded side edges adapted to overlie the adjacent flange portions of adjoining channel members; and interlocking means securing said retainer strips to said adjacent flange portions uniting said channel members as a rigid unit, said interlockingmeans comprising a plurality of crimps disposed along the length of said retainer strips, each of said crimps deforming and mutilating each adjacent flange portion and their overlying retainer strip in an interlocking relationship, deforming the upwardly and inwardly folded side edges of said retainer strip into a position flush with the uppermost surface of .said adjacent flange portions and mutilating the outermost portion of said adjacent flange portions and outerrnosttside of said retainer strip .by inwardly cutting and notching a small segment of said adjacent :flange vportions and said retainer strip, and bending said inwardly cut small segment ,of said adjacent flange portions and said retainer strip out of the plane of the remainder of said adjacent flange portions and said retainer strip; said side panels comprising a plurality of vertically disposed side channel members, each of said ,side channel members having a flattened uppermost portion, a pair of legs depending downwardly from said uppermost portion at substantially a 90 degree angle therefrom, and a pair of flange portions extending inwardly toward each other from said legs and disposed at substantially a 90 degree angle with respect to said legs, said side channel members being placed with the uppermost portions thereof in the same plane forming .a continuous side panel, and with the legs of adjoining side channel members in abutment and the flange portions of said adjoining side channel members disposed in the same plane; a plui rality of retainer strips adapted to secure said side channel members together, each of said retainer strips having a flattened lowermost portion adapted to abut the lowermost surface of the flange portions of adjoining side channel members, and upwardly and inwardly folded side edges adapted to overlie the adjacentflange portions of adjoining side channel members, the flange portions of the outermost legs of the sidernost channel mfimber of said top panel section being removed therefrom and the outermost portion of said side channel members being secured to the innermost surface of said leg; said spar comprising a front plate, an upper angled flange portion, and a lower angled flange portiondisposed at substantially a 90 degree angle to said front ,plate, said lower flange portion terminating in an upwardlyturned lip disposed substantially parallel to said front plate, the upper angled flange portion of said spar being secured to the uppermost surface of said channel members and the side edges of said spar being securedto the endmost legs of the foremost side channel members of said side panel sections.

3. The combination as specified in claim 2 wherein said side panel sections and said spar are provided with skirts at the lowermost portions thereof, the skirts for said side panel sections each comprising a front plate having a decorative configuration along the lowermost surface thereof, a plurality of ears extending upwardly from said front plate, said ears being in the same plane as said front plate, and said front plate being provided with an inwardly extending flange portion at one side thereof, said ears 'being secured to the innermost surface of the flattened portion of said sidechannel members comprising each of said side panel sections; and the skirt for said spar comprising a front plate having an ornate configuration along the lowermost surface thereof and an outwardly angled flange portion extending from the uppermost edge of said front plate, said flange portion being secured to the lowermost surface of the lower angled flange portion of said spar and the sides of said skirt for said spar being secured to the inwardly extending flange portions vofvthe skirts for said side panel sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,681,830 White .Aug. 21, 1928 1,778,889 Disbro Oct. 21, \1930 2,632,535 Clerk .Mar. 24, 1953 2,641,032 Freeman June 9, 1953 2,644,990 Smith July 14, 1953 2,811,755 Rider Nov. 5, 1957 

